SCHWEISSEN & SCHNEIDEN 2023 supports start-ups and young companies

06.09.2023

Being visible, networking and making important contacts: These factors are indispensable for the successful development of a young company. In order to provide important support to young start-ups on their way to establishing themselves on the market, Messe Essen, in cooperation with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, is making a special offer at the world's leading trade fair SCHWEISSEN & SCHNEIDEN from September 11 to 15. Thanks to the "Young Innovative Companies" initiative, five new companies can present themselves at the world's most important trade fair for joining, cutting and coating at reduced rates.

Photo: Rainer Schimm/ MESSE ESSEN

"Courage, determination, creativity and innovation are extremely important factors in a start-up. We are therefore delighted to be able to provide significant support to young companies at this year's event as well, helping them to come into contact with industry giants and hidden champions and to forge relationships that are important for business. With the Young Innovative Companies project, we are laying an important foundation for cooperation in the industry," says Christina Kleinpaß, project manager of SCHWEISSEN & SCHNEIDEN 2023. 

Customer acquisition and fresh impulses

Frank Hartmann, operations manager at ALPAKA, is also hoping that participation in the world's leading trade show will give his business a boost. The company is primarily dedicated to the field of special machine construction, selling portal welding systems and laser cells, among other things. "For us, it is extremely important to exchange ideas with other companies in the industry and to bring ourselves up to date. At SCHWEISSEN & SCHNEIDEN, there are all kinds of opportunities to do this. That's why we are happy to be at the upcoming event and are excited about the opportunity to receive support as a young company," says Hartmann. 

The software company steeldate & software solutions GmbH, SHALA-ENGINEERING, coating specialist WiBOTec-Surfaces GmbH and welding table manufacturer PETec GmbH are also taking advantage of the Federal Ministry's support program. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs is supporting companies with 60 percent of the costs for stand rental and stand construction for the first two trade fair participations. Small companies that have been in existence for no longer than ten years, employ no more than 50 people and generate no more than ten million euros in annual sales are eligible for funding.

International startups participate in fair

In addition to young companies from Germany, numerous international start-ups from the field of welding and cutting technology are also taking part in the world's leading trade fair. One such company is Pritec from the Netherlands. The company manufactures CNC plasma cutting tables and hopes to expand its business areas by participating in the world's leading trade fair. "Our expectation of SCHWEISSEN & SCHNEIDEN is to gain new customers and, of course, to make important contacts. So far, we have been active with our business mainly in the Netherlands and Belgium - with our participation in the trade show, we also want to gain a foothold in the German market," explains Peter Prinsen, Managing Director of the Dutch company. The start-up chose SCHWEISSEN & SCHNEIDEN because "we have heard from many of our customers that it is the most important and best trade show to get into conversation with clients and competitors," says Prinsen

WireDrive AG with Managing Director Andreas Koch has a similar view: "We expect to make numerous contacts with many Welding machine manufacturers within a short period of time. We also naturally want to present our innovative approaches to well-known challenges in the industry. The trade fair also offers us the chance to get to know our potential customers' offers and strategic orientations better."

Further information on the Young Innovative Companies initiative, participating companies and start-ups is available on the website www.schweissen-schneiden.com